OLIVER X COLETTE

Colette is Paris's cult store, founded in 1997 by Colette Roussaux the 8,000-square-foot space has played host to the hottest merchandise available and cemented its reputation for spotting the next-big-thing 10 times over and is the store where you virtually find everything.

“It’s the only shop where I go because they have things no one else has," Karl Lagerfeld told the Business of Fashion last year.

Colette asked renowned artist and best-selling author/illustrator Oliver Jeffers to create a line of apparel, collectibles and original art that would exclusively launch at Colette Paris in December 2016 blending art, fashion and design.

Working with Oliver and the team we helped create a range inspired by the New York Times best seller, Once Upon an Alphabet, that reflects the book’s rich tapestry of colours and Oliver’s signature style of writing and art.

“I wanted to craft objects that expand the characters and worlds of my stories into the homes and arms of people across the world. I have collaborated with a small network of friends, and together we seek to make things that are covetable — not disposable – with a commitment towards ethical manufacturing.” Oliver Jeffers

Oliver has achieved international prominence as an illustrator and author with his 18 picture bookspublished into 36 languages, including Chinese, Korean, Japanese, French, Spanish and German. The range appeals to Oliver’s dedicated worldwide fanbase includes 89k Instagram followers, 82k Facebook page likes, and 35k Twitter followers.

See more at www.ojstuff.com

A (RED) STORY

In 2006, Bono and Bobby Shriver began paving the way for a new generation. An AIDS free generation. They founded (RED) with a simple mission, to make it easy for people and businessesto join the fight against the deadly virus.

(RED) commissioned Oliver Jeffers and the team at Studio AKA (Directors Philip Hunt & Kristian Andrews) to create A (RED) STORY. A film that was used for both an event at the 61st Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, then at the '(RED) THANK YOU' in Times Square NYC. With a deliberately lo-fi approach, chosen to reflect the urgency of the films powerful message.

Jeffers & Sons worked with the team at (RED) to bring the film to life in a 3D form by producing the real book from the film, in an limited print run, to could be distributed as a gift to those individuals and organisations that closely support (RED).

BELFAST COOKERY SCHOOL

The Belfast Cookery School was born out of a love for food and the desire to share that experience. Under the expert guidance of chef Stephen Jeffers (no relation) diners are given a step by step lesson in creating a delicious meal designed to awaken, enliven or revitalise a passion for cooking with fresh ingredients and the best quality produce. The city’s first purpose built cookery school is nestled in the centre of Belfast and has room for 16 students each with their own individual work station to create their culinary masterpiece!

We worked closely with chef Stephen Jeffers to create a strong brand for this Belfast institution. We created a fresh, contemporary new look and feel across print, signage and online with a strong wordmark design which could be used on a single line or stacked. A number of illustrations have been created to work alongside the wordmark to give the brand its own unique personality.

THE AMERICAN BAR

Pedro Donald, owner of the award winning Sunflower Public House, has breathed new life back into the American Bar in Sailortown.

This working man’s public house called last orders for the final time in 2013 after 140 years of whetting the whistles of generations of sailors and dockers from the nearby port. This long forgotten pub is based one of the city’s historic quarters based at 65 Dock Street.

The American Bar still retains the traditional layout of a downstairs public bar with an upstairs lounge accessed via different doors.

The area has a long history of craftsmanship and we relished the opportunity to work on a brand with so much heritage, however we were also mindful that we needed to be sympathetic to the traditions and ethos of the neighbourhood. To reflect this tradition and history of the area a logotype was created that reflect the crafted quality of the bar. Through our research we discovered the original signage was hand painted to the exterior of the bar. Using our new identity we replicated this using the original techniques.

“It’s not an American diner, it’s a Belfast pub called the American Bar. It probably will lean towards Americana but the whole lot, from the bottom of Argentina to Alaska, not just the United States of America. Pedro told the Sunday Life newspaper.

“There will be no Stars and Stripes.

“The American but it has been called that since around 1860 so it would be wrong to change it. We are quite happy with it,”

THE BOXING HARE

The Boxing Hare makes the best authentic, hand made, wood fired pizza. Baked to perfection in minutes in their traditional oven at temperatures of over 400c. So of course we were delighted when Matt approached us to create the brand identity, signage and support materials for the relaunch of his artisan pizzeria.

Matt wanted a brand that was as unique as his concept, which is all about the freshest ingredients, locally sourced and served in an abstract eating experience. We worked with him to bring his ideas to life and to reflect the casual nature of his individual offering. The creation of hand drawn type sits alongside a crafted motif that we worked on with the talented illustrator Mark Reihill which establishes the core identity and sets the tone for this beautiful restaurant.

HONEYSUCKLE

We worked with the team at Honeysuckle to create a brand identity and print collateral for the launch of their new New York restaurant. They had a strong sense of how they wanted the graphics to look for their new concept which was all about food, music and art in a casual restaurant venue.

We worked with them to bring their ideas to life and to reflect the casual nature of their offering through a series of stamped motifs. These are used across a variety of key pieces such as print materials, interiors and website. A strong wordmark was designed which is used alongside the stamps.

ONCE UPON AN ALPHABET

If words make up the stories and letters make up the words, then stories are made up of letters. In this menagerie we have stories made of words, made FOR all the letters.

Once Upon An Alphabet is a series of twenty-six short stories that introduces a host of new characters (plus the occasional familiar face) to the world of Oliver Jeffers. From Edmund the astronaut with his fear of heights, the dynamic new investigative duo of the Owl and the Octopus and a Zeppelin that just might get Edmund a little bit closer to where he needs to be.

Jeffers & Sons worked closely with Oliver on both the pictures and words to create a book that is packed with funny, thrilling, perilous and above all entertaining tales inspired by every letter in the alphabet, creating an adventure to follow from A to Z.

“A” is an Astronaut called Edmund, whose fear of heights makes his high-flying profession rather difficult. “B” introduces us to a pair of feuding characters called Bernard and Bob, and the Bridge that crosses the chasm between them. Bob burns the bridge so he won’t be bothered by Bernard any more, but does it from the wrong end, marooning himself on the same side of the divide as his enemy.

The theme of unintended consequences – good and bad – ties in the stories of the characters. “L” is for Jack Stack the Lumberjack, who has been struck by Lightning so many times he’s full of electricity – which means he can power his own reading light in bed. “S” stands for “Sink or Swim”, the sad story of a “regular cucumber” who aspires to be a “sea cucumber” and suffers accordingly. “F” is for “Forever”, the tale of young Ferdinand who drops a stone into the world’s biggest hole and grows old as he waits to hear it hit the bottom.

‘…combines classic storytelling with stunning artwork. Parents and kids will love to read this again and again’ The Bookseller

WINNER OF THE CBI BOOK OF THE YEAR

CHRIS THILE

Christopher Thile is an American musician, best known as the mandolinist and a singer for the progressive acoustic trio Nickel Creek and acoustic folk/progressive bluegrass quintet Punch Brothers. London’s Independent called Chris Thile “the most remarkable mandolinist in the world.”

Jeffers & Sons were commissioned by NoneSuch Records to design the new Chris Thile album artwork - Bach: Sonatas and Partitas, Vol. 1. Working alongside the artist Oliver Jeffers we created the artwork for both the CD and 12" vinyl.

NO ALIBIS

Famous for its fresh coffee and warm hospitality, No Alibis is Northern Ireland’s favourite independent bookstore. Here you will discover a new favourite writer in a small, curated shop with a well-read bookseller who knows your taste better than you.

No Alibis bookstore formed a creative writing school in the heart of the University Quarter for its loyal clientell and future authors. The writing talents of Ian Sansom, Paul Maddern and Malachi O’Doherty lead informal, approachable weekend courses helping new writers gain an understanding of different ways to approach the essentials of the writing process.

Jeffers & Sons worked closely with No Alibis and the writers to create a new look at feel for the bookstore with videos and a website.

EDITIONS

Based in the Cathedral Quarter, the Belfast Print Workshop is one of the artistic keystones of the area. As an organisation for artists who want to work in print, it provides all manner of opportunities to help them develop their skills.

The Workshop has developed consistently since its foundation in 1977. The artists who have chosen to make Belfast Print Workshop their artistic home have equally contributed to making it the organisation and artistic community that it is today.

Editions was an exhibition currated by the Workshop and Jeffers & Sons alongside Whitenoise Studios. The work included in the exhibition showed just a selection of work produced over the last six years since the Workshop took up residency at Cotton Court. The exhibition highlighted the wide range of disciplines and high standard of work produced by artists during their time at the Belfast Print Workshop.

OLIVER JEFFERS WORLD

Oliver Jeffers likes to tell stories and draw pictures.

Oliver began writing and illustrating children's stories when he realised that people didn't believe what he did with his time. He has had a number of adventures that he has collected into his books for children young and old.

We worked closely with The Gallery to curate the exhibition Action at a Distance: the life and legacy of John Stewart Bell

The exhibition ran from the 5th to the 30th November 2014.

John Stewart Bell was one of the most influential scientists of the twentieth century, this Queen’s graduate formulated a theorem which physicists, philosophers and historians now consider to be one of the most significant developments in quantum theory. His proof of non-locality - that a measurement of particle A would instantaneously affect particle B, even if they were a vast distance apart - revolutionised the understanding of both quantum theory and the nature of the physical universe.

On the 50th anniversary of the publication of Bell’s theorem, this unique exhibition explored his life and the artistic response to his legacy by artists from across the world.

Richard Bell (Australia)

Geraldine Cox (UK)

Oliver Jeffers (USA)

Rory Jeffers (Northern Ireland)

Jonathon Keats (USA)

Kevin Kopacka (Germany)

Lucy McKenna (Ireland)

Philip Mussen (Northern Ireland)

As well as being one of the invited artists we also worked with the gallery on the content for the exhibition, the branding, interpretive signage and catalogue design.

The exhibition was presented in association with the School of Mathematics and Physics, Queen's University Belfast.

THE SUNFLOWER

The Sunflower Public House is a hub of live music in Belfast City Centre. Located right behind Belfast Central Library it is a stone's throw (Belfast's standard unit of distance) from the Cathedral Quarter.

Jeffers & Sons worked with the Sunfower to create a brand that reflects the bar and surrounding areas diverse history and heritage. As one of the few remaining public house's with a caged front, the bar is a living representation of Belfast's dark past, while celebrating its musical future.

CLAIRE MUCKIAN

Claire Muckian is a talented sculptor who has recently won the Royal Ulster Academy’s Award for Emerging Artist.

Claire commissioned Jeffers & Sons to develop an engaging brand identity, website and catalogue to introduce her creativity and work, which is nothing short of stunning.

THE PAPER MUSEUM

The Paper Museum was founded in 2010.

The Museum curates and collects paper of scientific, artistic and historic interest. Jeffers & Sons were commissioned by The Museum to create a brand, website and printed materials to raise awareness of the Museum's work.

The collection is continually being added to with Jeffers & Sons working in an advisory capacity.

WHITTRICK PRESS

Whittrick Press is a (mostly) digital publisher based in Northern Ireland taking brilliant writing and sending it out into the world to bring joy wherever it goes.

Jeffers & Sons were delighted to work with David Lewis and Hugh Odling-Smee on the Whittrick Press brand and book covers as they set out to bring new writing and new ideas to readers in innovative and interesting ways.

It launched as part of the 2013 Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival alongside the release of its first publication Sleepwalkers, a collection of short stories that has already been long-listed for the Frank O’Connor International Short Story Prize.

BOOK

For thirty-six weeks, a sketchbook was sent in random order between four artists: two in Brooklyn, two in Belfast.

Every Wednesday, one participant would receive the book. The following Monday it was sent out, giving each artist five days to complete a spread in response to the one that preceded it. A small portion of each entry extends on to the following page. Beyond this, there was no communication between the artists concerning the content of book during its making.

Book’s first trip across the Atlantic was on 2 June 2003. Its final trip was on 2 February 2004. By the time it was complete, Book had travelled over sixty thousand miles.

An exhibition of the project has been shown in Belfast, New York and Los Angeles.

HOW TO CATCH A STAR

There once was a boy who loved stars so much that he wished he had one of his very own. Every night he watched the stars in the sky from his bedroom window and dreamed of how he could be their friend and how they could play hide-and-go-seek together.

So, one day, he decided to set about catching a star of his very own…

How to Catch a Star is the inspirational story of a boy who loved the stars so much, he decided to catch one of his very own. Jeffers & Sons worked with our favourite client and younger brother, the very talented Oliver Jeffers, on his beautifully illustrated and original debut picture book.

THE FIRED VESSEL

Working with our good friends at The Fired Vessel we helped create a new brand that perfectly complimented their handcrafted ceramic tableware focusing on considered, understated and comfortable design exhibiting a minimal, Japanese aesthetic.

Each piece within the range has been lovingly built from the ground up using hand-building techniques. No potters wheels. No machines. Just a unique piece of art all made by hand and designed for the every day rituals of daily life.

Every form is designed to be multi-functional with co-ordinating elements and colours with a beautiful gradually change colour over time.

BUILDING

For almost 40 years, a small brick building in Belfast, Northern Ireland was home to a vital electrical switch room. The building, which once powered the city, had lay dormant for nearly 25 years and was scheduled for renovation in 2005.

Before this process began, the development firm collaborated with a group of artists from Belfast and Brooklyn to document and salvage much of the original equipment. Using these remnants the artists created an exhibition entitled Building, that tells the story of this space that powered Belfast.

Rory Jeffers, Oliver Jeffers, Chris Heaney, Mac Premo and Duke Riley explored the building’s story through different avenues and media. Ideas explored in the exhibition included its function behind closed doors, its effect on the city it was built in, and how the city and citizens of Belfast.

BIG POT CO.

Big Pot Co. is an Irish based brand of fresh, handmade soups for both the foodservice and retail markets. Jeffers & Sons worked closely with them to create a brand that would communicate a clear, traditional, wholesome and handmade proposition while looking genuinely fresh and honest.

We also created their packaging using a traditional chalkboard aesthetic, bold typography alongside light hand drawn script and illustrative detail to capture the regional and crafted nature of the soup.

As well getting highly commended at the IDI awards our work was also featured on The Dieline and FFFFound.

SEAMUS HEANEY CENTRE

The Seamus Heaney Centre at Queen's University is a focal
point for creativity in Ireland. It is a recognised international centre of creative and research
excellence in the field of literature, and is distinguished by its promotion of
creative writing as a living art.

As part of a series
of events to celebrate the Centre’s continuing work, Jeffers & Sons commissioned 25 artists to interpret a poem associated with the Heaney Centre, The Blackbird of Belfast Lough.

The exhibition launched at the Naughton Gallery in Queen's University and is on permanent
display in the Seamus Heaney Centre.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Can the human condition be defined by mathematics or art alone?

Additional Information was an exhibition by Oliver Jeffers. In a series of paintings he explored the possibility of seeing things logically and romantically at the same time, using mathematical concepts offered by Dr. Hugh Morrison. The exhibition asked the question, "can science tell us anything about art, and equally can art tell us anything about science?"

In each of the paintings Oliver explored the issue of irreducible uncertainity in physics, philosophy, psychology and mathematics.

Working alongside Oliver, Jeffers & Sons helped craft a catalogue, invitation and graphics for the exhibition.

AN EXPERIMENT IN TYPOGRAPHY

Typefaces are now over 560 years old.

At Jeffers & Sons we love beautifully executed typography and traditional techniques, especially the rich and distinctive feel of the letterpress process.

Working with Whitenoise Studios and the Case Room at the Ulster Folk Museum, 'An Experiment in Typography' is a celebration of type and forgotten techniques.

SLEEP

Sleep is a journey that you take alone.

This exhibition explored the themes of isolation and personal development through paintings, collage and found objects.

Held in a hotel over one night, the art was hidden around various rooms and suites for the viewer to discover.